Should the City of Providence build a streetcar or light rail system?

A number of cities across the country have used above-ground light rail to revitalize their cores. Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline would like to bring light rail to the streets of the capital city.

Among the advantages cited by Cicilline and other advocates for light rail are fewer cars on downtown streets (and thus less pollution) and having more people walking to destinations downtown, creating a more vibrant retail environment.

Do the advantages outweigh the cost of re-establishing urban surface rail transportation?

Comments

The interconnected light rail/trolley/bus system in Portland Oregon is a great model for Providence. Cheap parking is available near downtown and downtown itself is a designated free zone - making it attractive and easy to access and navigate while removing traffic congestion and parking barriers.

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